The SOUTHERN SHRIKE (_Lanius meridionalis_) is very similar to, but more
beautiful than the species above described, and is found throughout
Southern Europe and North-western Africa; the male is about ten inches
long and thirteen broad; the wing measures more than four inches, and the
tail four and three-quarters; the female is half an inch smaller than
her mate. The plumage is deep grey upon the upper part of the body, and
white beneath, the breast being shaded with a rich red; the four centre
tail-feathers are black, the eye is brown, the upper mandible dark, and
the lower one light blue; the foot is black.
This bird is, we believe, the only Shrike that remains throughout the
year in Spain; it arrives in Greece about April, and leaves again in
the end of August. Its habits do not differ from those of its congeners
already alluded to. The nest, which is usually placed at the summit of
an olive-tree, is formed of green stalks, woven together, and lined
with sheep's wool and goats' hair; the eggs, four or six in number, are
of a dirty white or reddish white, thickly strewn with brown, grey, or
red spots of various sizes. These eggs are regarded as such dainties in
Spain, that men will often risk their lives in procuring them for the
market.